Are you notorious for saving fabric scraps? Use those scraps to make variegated bias tape, trim, or binding by choosing three or more compatible coordinating fabrics. Sewing the strips together in a staggered or offset fashion creates a Barber Pole binding effect. This technique transforms even small fabric pieces into eye-catching finishes.

Stagger the Strips

To get the maximum use from the fabric, offset ends of each strip to an approximate 45° angle when joining. I’ll show you how.

Fold the short end of the first strip down to meet the lengthwise side. Finger press the fold, creating a perfect right triangle.

Position the second strip even with the first strip’s triangle point.

Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to join strips.

Fold the short end of the second strip up to meet the seamline. Finger press the fold, creating a perfect right triangle.

Add the third strip at the edge of the folded second-strip triangle.

Repeat these steps to join and stagger all fabric scrap strips.

Press seam allowances toward the offset strip.

Cut Binding Strips

Align the strip set along a horizontal line on the cutting mat. Place a long, rotary cutting ruler at a 45-degree angle on the strip set, positioning the ruler to trim off only the staggered ends of the strip sets.

Dear Nancy, I really like the look of the finished edge. Kinda like my life a mix master mess ! Variegated bias tape is really nifty. Thank You for this demonstration. Jenny, the old sew and sew.

MartyApril 25, 2015

Thanks for sharing this: I wanted to try previously and hadn’t figured it out on my own as yet!

Gail BeamApril 25, 2015

Really neat tutorial! Love the fun scrappy bias strips.

Anna MariaApril 25, 2015

thank you Nancy for this tutorial ! Good idea !

LeslieApril 25, 2015

Wow! That is cool!! Definitely using it on a future quilt. Thank you!!

MarilynApril 25, 2015

I’ve done scrappy binding before, but now that I see how you did it, that will be my only way from now on. Thanks Nancy for another good tip!

IlanaApril 25, 2015

Thanks for these wonderful, clear instructions. I have a few quilts which are great candidates for this binding.

Patricia-IowayApril 25, 2015

Thanks so much for the directions on how to cut a scrappy quilt binding. It’s so lovely and your method of joining strips seems to save, rather than waste, fabric.

Again, thanks. I don’t know what I would do without Nancy’s ideas and show.

MaryApril 25, 2015

Love it! Always looking for new ways with bindings and border options. Also great way to use bits and pieces with the high cost of fabric we all hate waste, another way to cut down on the dreaded waste. Now if someone could come up with ways to use all those little triangles when “snowballing” a quilt square, all would be well!!!!

KathyinMNApril 25, 2015

Well, just wow-that seems so easy, and what a great way to use up scraps!